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I had the unfortunate adventure of having to go to the hospital with a kidney stone, couldn't walk so had to call an ambulance. All went well and a week later received an $800 bill for the ambulance ride? I have been in GE for about 4 years and have never lived-in a community that bills the residents for emergency services. I grew up in a poor west Cook suburb and that town didn't bill for ambulance services.
Can someone let me know that the cost to a call to the police? is it a set fee or per hr based fee? If I need fire service would I get billed by the hr, gallon used or amount of vehicles to come to my aid?
Having to pay for an ambulance is a joke, what are my tax dollars used for?
I just happened to be looking into this topic. GE currently uses a service that directly bills the "users" of the ambulance transport. This bill does not involve fire or police, just the paramedics, ambulance ride and any supplies that you use during the ride.
No tax dollars are used for any transports.
Starting June 15th, GE is switching services so that the Village now owns their own ambulances and staffs paramedics. The users will still be billed, however at what rate is still to be determined. If you have insurance, your insurance carrier will be billed. If you use medicare/medicaid, they will be billed. If you are on public assistance, they will be billed, etc.
The town will use tax payer dollars to make up any difference between the cost of the transport and the actual amount collected.
Chicago bills for ambulance transport (usually to the insurance company when possible, I believe). I thought Palatine charged also. I think the days of 'free' ambulance service disappeared about 10-15 years ago.
Posts: 441 | Location: Glen Ellyn, IL USA | Registered: October 06, 2003
Years back I remember multiple times taking my mom and dad to hospital, via ambulance. The policy was if they were a resident of the town there was no charge. Apparently Glen Ellyn doesn't have the policy. Or may it has changed through the years. I haven't had to call an ambulance in a long time.
Oh, incidently you can change your title via editing your first post.
How I wish, how I wish you were here. We're just two lost souls Swimming in a fish bowl, Year after year, Running over the same old ground. What have we found? The same old fears. Wish you were here.
Yeah... me, too. I slipped into a diabetic coma about a year ago... first and only one to date. (Knock wood.) My wife had been told what to do, but she was very worried and (at my doctor's prior suggestion) called 911 as well.
The paramedics arrived, hung around for awhile, said the right things and left. No transport anywhere.
Got a bill for $400. Nothing covered it. We've never used the service before or since, but will certainly have to think long and hard before we ever call 911 again.
I've got a garden hose; I guess I can probably put out my own house fire.
Posts: 1342 | Location: Glen Ellyn, IL USA | Registered: March 21, 2003
GE residents do not pay taxes for fire/EMT service...do we? When you need it, you pay. Whether it is "free" in some communities that pay $400-500 per houshold every year in taxes for fire protection...or pay as you play in GE...there is no such thing as "free" ambulance service anywhere. That can't be a huge surprise to those that have lived here for a while.
Insurance, if you have it, should pick up a good portion. Otherwise, I would call Superior. We have had to use them a few times. Their billing dept. is more than friendly and accommodating and will help you file insurance paperwork. Like a hospital, they may work with you on payments and/or lower the fee.
As a matter of fact, I am anxiously awaiting a bill from them as we speak.
Posts: 9128 | Location: CLEA | Registered: November 04, 2004
Overheard near coveted Lake Ellyn-"Mr. *******, been "coaching" the boys again, we'll be right over. Don't forget we need cash to keep DCFS out of the picture"
"Everyone thinks their opinion matters. Don't argue with a nobody. A farmer doesn't bother telling a pig his breath smells like s***."
Re: Private- v. Public-Funded EMT/ALS ambulance service
I just dug out an old property tax bill from 1995 for a neighboring community and a house worth about $330,000 - EAV $110,000.
At that time, the local fire protection (and ambulance service) district's tax amount for one year was about $750 and another $25 for the pension fund.
That training, maintenance and equipment has to be paid for by someone at some point.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: GEmom2,
So what exactly is the 911 services? I see it on phone bills and other bills. Is that for maintining radar, staff and phone equipment?
How I wish, how I wish you were here. We're just two lost souls Swimming in a fish bowl, Year after year, Running over the same old ground. What have we found? The same old fears. Wish you were here.
But did your insurer pay $800 minus $74, or is there a preferred provider amount that is negotiated? I am often amazed at the percentage that is written down from the initial bill.
For example, a recent ER visit was billed at over $9000. CDH received $4500 from BC/BS and we paid another $450. The initial charge is almost never 100% paid.
In the linked story JAR provided, I saw that Wheaton just bills ambulance service to the recipient at the Medicare amount and the taxpayers pick up the rest of the cost of running the service.
If number of calls is as projected, the success of the billing and collection service provider for Glen Ellyn's ambulance service will determine how much Glen Ellyn will make or lose in this venture.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: GEmom2,
rescue my ambulance drivers.
Insurance picked up all but $74.